National News – Page 247 – Windhoek Observer

30 Jun

‘Namibia is not a banana republic’

ObserverNational News‘Namibia is not a banana republic’

Stefanus Nashama The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says Namibia is not a banana republic, and the police will not allow anyone to be intimidated or beaten up by another person. “No one should think Namibia is a banana republic, and no one should prevent the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni to conduct an official visit to Karasburg Town Council. We are there to maintain order, protect and provide safety for everyone, including the minister. Namibia has laws to protect every citizen of this country, chaos, and anarchy should not be entertained…

30 Jun

Meatco seeks serious policy intervention

ObserverNational NewsMeatco seeks serious policy intervention

Stefanus Nashama The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has appealed for policy interventions to rescue the state-owned entity that has been grappling with a massive fall in its market share in recent years due to the underutilisation of its abattoirs. Meatco’s Chief Executive Officer, Mwilima Mushokobanji revealed this to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration on Wednesday, during a consultative meeting with Meatco management. He said the meeting was aimed at informing the committee on the operations of the company, progress made so far, and challenges the company faced in the gone times. Mushokobanji observed that although…

30 Jun

Heavy rains force motorists on alternative routes to South Africa

ObserverNational NewsHeavy rains force motorists on alternative routes to South Africa

Niël Terblanché Strong winter rains are still expected to continue falling over large parts of southern Namibia and while the extreme cold still poses a danger to livestock and vulnerable people. The main road that connects Namibia to South Africa at Noordoewer was damaged on Wednesday night after heavy rains fell in the area. The road along the so-called Vyf Myl Poort to the immediate south of Vioolsdrif in South Africa was destroyed in several places by rushing flood waters. The South African roads authority in a statement warned motorists about the severe damage to the road N7 main route.…

30 Jun

Sudden retrenchment is inhuman

ObserverNational NewsSudden retrenchment is inhuman

Martin Endjala Workers at the Northern Graphite Processing Namibia (Pty) Ltd Okurusu Mine near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa region, are unhappy with the way their employer served them with a notice of retrenchment without formal notification. David Katali, the worker’s spokesperson, told the Windhoek Observer yesterday that employees are devastated about the developments at the Canadian-owned mining company. He said during an interview that the notification they received did not follow the correct procedures. “There is chaos at the workplace, in the sense that we woke up and went to work only to be told that today is our last…

30 Jun

FLON calls for youth empowerment

ObserverNational NewsFLON calls for youth empowerment

Stefanus Nashama Monica Geingos, the First Lady of Namibia, has called on families to come forward to create urgent interventions for youth empowerment. Geingos made the call while addressing the youth at the ‘Be Free Youth Concert’ official launch yesterday in Windhoek. She said that families are supposed to play their role in the future of the youth by providing love and ensuring protection, having a sense of belonging, and offering financial support for youth development programs. “There should be parental involvement in youth matters, and without all these, families have not played their role in youth engagement and development…

30 Jun

Public warned against dangers of veld fires

ObserverNational NewsPublic warned against dangers of veld fires

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has warned farmers, property owners and the general public to take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of veld fires during the dry winter season. Romeo Muyunda, the ministry’s spokesperson said the country is currently in its fire season which has been observed in the past to cause massive damage to the environment, properties and people. The dry season stretches between April and September. He added that since the start of the fire season, almost half a million hectares of grazing have already been destroyed by veld fires. “The fire…

30 Jun

New Agronomic Board achieves gender parity

ObserverNational NewsNew Agronomic Board achieves gender parity

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Minister, Calle Schlettwein said the new Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) has achieved gender inclusivity and gender equality with the appointment of new members. Schletttwein, during the inauguration of the new board yesterday said the people in the new positions are representatives of various industries that link into the value chains and are experts in their required fields. “The Board is constituted, and its members, including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the board, shall be appointed by, and for a period as determined under, sections 14 and 15 of the Public Enterprises Governance…

29 Jun

ACC arrests Education officials over tender involving N$ 3m

ObserverNational NewsACC arrests Education officials over tender involving N$ 3m

Martin Endjala The Anti-Corruption Commission has confirmed the arrest of two government employees and one local businessman in court for alleged corruption. The suspects, two of them employees at the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture were arrested last Wednesday. The trio is accused of conducting a string of corrupt activities dating back to 2018. The MoEAC employees are the 53-year-old Cornelius Willemse, a Stock Control Officer, the 54-year-old Veronica Goagoses, a Control Administrative Officer, and the 56-year-old, Desmond Kays a businessman. The Anti- graft watchdog said the suspects corruptly connived to defraud the Ministry of nearly N$3 million that…

29 Jun

Zimbabwean Judge sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

ObserverNational NewsRita Makarau, Zimbabwean Judge sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Despite the backlash by opposition parties in appointing Zimbabwean Judge Rita Makarau as an acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia, Makarau was sworn into her position yesterday. Makarau was sworn in by Chief Justice Peter Shivute and will serve from April 2023 to March 2024. Shortly after the announcement of Makarau’s appointment in March, opposition parties such as the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) questioned the appointment. She was appointed alongside Judge Hannelie Prinsloo and Judge Esi Schimming-Chase to serve as Acting Judges of…

29 Jun

Home Affairs finally responds to same-sex marriage ruling

ObserverNational NewsEtienne Maritz, Home Affairs finally responds to same-sex marriage ruling

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security says that it will implement the immigration act as per the Supreme Court Judgement on the treatment of same-sex marriages validly concluded between Namibians and foreign nationals outside Namibia. The Ministry’s Executive Director, Etienne Maritz said, in a much anticipated statement that the government and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security have taken note of the judgment and acknowledge the independence of the Courts and finality of Supreme Court decisions and in circumstances, the Ministry will comply with the judgment accordingly. In a telephonic interview with…